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The Dally in the Alley festival celebrates its 36th anniversary Saturday, September 7, 2013. Held in Detroit’s storied Cass Corridor, the annual event attracts thousands of attendees to the live music, DJs, art, vendors, food, reunions with old friends, and the making new friends, too. The festival-goers, a colorful and diverse cross-section of Detroiters, experience a unique party that has become one of the most-loved festivals in Detroit.

Since it began as an inner city art fair in 1977, the Dally has evolved into a culturally significant affair. In 1982, the fair moved a few blocks to the alley between Forest Ave. and Hancock, Third and Second and evolved into a performing arts festival. While the celebration has expanded in both size and attendance, the Dally in the Alley remains a one day festival that is not to be missed. Four music stages (including the return of the successful electronic music stage), a new community stage, art installations, more than 120 local food and retail vendors provide attendees with activities and entertainment all day long.

The festival, a fundraiser for the North Cass Community Union, prides itself in staying true to its core mission of celebrating the area that it takes place in. Most recently in a poll among MetroMix readers, Dally in the Alley was awarded with the honor of “Best Festival in Detroit”.

This year's event features several key elements that will make it better than ever, including:

Ann Kennedy Community Stage: Dedicated to long-time Dally in the Alley supporters Ann Kennedy and Dylan Bailey, this new fifth stage is an eclectic interactive performance space that pays homage to Dally's community roots. It will feature soapbox forums, performances, contests and other activities. Mayoral candidates Mike Duggan & Benny Napoleon will speak, as well as District 6 City Council candidates.

Expanded Kids Fair: In addition to games, crafts and face painting, Torri Ashford of PuppetArt will be leading puppet-making workshops at this year at Dally Kids Fair. And along with the Gabriel Brass Band, Ashford will lead a parade through the festival, showcasing all the puppet creations.

Increased focus on environmental impact: The North Cass Community Union is working with Recycle Here to make the Dally in the Alley the greenest festival in Detroit. In 2011 Dally begin its greening efforts by implementing a recycling and composting program. By requiring all food and drink to be served in compostable wares and staffing green stations with volunteers to ensure the right waste gets into the right can, Dally has reduced the amount of garbage by over 60 yards. In 2012 Dally had less than five cubic yards of garbage. This year, Dally has implemented a color-coded system; green for compost, blue for recycling, and black for garbage.

Dally In The Alley Installation Project: Continuing the tradition of showcasing cutting edge art, Dally Art Director Andy Durkas has put together an exciting presentation featuring art installations by local artists, including Nick Pizana and Jimmy Murphy. Installations will be in various locations throughout the festival.

Poster Artist: Nicole Macdonald. This year’s poster artist has created a truly unique representation of Dally in the Alley. Nicole Macdonald makes documentary films, paints landscapes, and makes collages, mostly about the city of Detroit. She has been involved with the Detroit Film Center, Detroit Film & Television, Prison Creative Arts Project, and a number of galleries and visual arts groups in the city. She paints to make a historical record, working from direct observation to a more stylized rendering, blending fictitious elements and combining perspectives. There is a similar approach in her collages, with an intention to depict reality, altered for viewer accessibility. Additionally, she makes stencils, aiming to project a social message that will stimulate criticism of the status quo, and examine issues affecting Detroit.

Dally in the Alley takes place in Detroit's North Cass neighborhood, between Forest and Hancock, Second and Third on Saturday, September 7, 2013 (rain date is Sunday, September 8, 2013).